Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Strength of Kawai CA63's top lid?

Hi,

I'm just about to order an imac for my music production but I have a quite odd question before I make my final decision. I intend to place the 21,5 inch computer on the top of my Kawai CA63 after dismantling the sheet music stand, but I'm not sure if the top lid is strong enough? The imac weights about 10 kg and since the aluminum stand is quite small it will not distribute the weight over a wider area. However I can also see that the piano has no support in the front, like it has in the rear. I suppose this may create bending moments which can cause damage?

Is there anyone out there with experience of this matter? Do you think the lid has enough strength to withstand the downward force without bending the structure over time?

/Andrée

I don't know the answer, but my experience of bookcases and bookshelves made of MDF or particle board materials is that they will bend under the weight of books over time.

Maybe the CA63 lid has adequate support underneath.

An option to consider would be to place something else on top of the CA63 lid and under the iMac that distributes the weight. A real wood shelf perhaps, stained to match the colour of the CA63.

What kind of 21" monitor weighs 10 kg (22 lb) ?
Are you sure of the weight?
My 20" weighs only 12 lb.

That weight is about right. The iMac has the whole computer built into the monitor - it's not just a monitor with the computer sitting elsewhere.

I have a CA63 myself and have taken off the top part a couple of times. You could really think that the top lid is lying on the side parts. But beware this is not the case. If you take a close look you will see a very small gap, since the top is placed only on small metal brackets.

Honestly I would just put the PC besides the piano on a seperate table or something else. Not sure what would happen over a longer period of time.

Here's what I did for my laptop, which has since been replaced by an IMac the same size as yours.

Thanks for your answers. It seems like it's not recommended to place the computer on the top of the piano, so I guess I have to find another solution.

/Andrée

I have a different view on this... I also own a CA63 and just checked the top - it's really very robust, I don't see a problem with placing an iMac with even 10kg of weight on top of the DP, even longterm.

Just a tip, if you do that, place some support in order to increase the area of surface supporting your mac.

Okey, thanks.

I have just made a closer look on the structure and what surprises me is that the front part isn't actually the weakest. Since there is no support in the front I thought this was the biggest problem, but KAWAI has placed a metal strip under the top lid, formed like a square, probably to strengthen the structure. With this one I don't believe there would be any problem to have the Mac standing on the lid. It has, however, also been shown that the rear part is actually the weakest since the support is only made of thin plyfa and I don't believe this would be able to withstand the weight of the Mac. What do you think Mucci?

/Andrée

@Andrée, you can easily test this for yourself since you have the CA63 in front of you... Just press your arm as hard as possible on the rear of the top. There is absolutely no tendency to move, it's rock solid. I would even dare to stand on top of the DP (and I'm not the lightest man, y'know?).

@mucci
Hehe, well I hope you're right. I think I have to try placing it there, if any long term effects should be observed it's just to place it somewhere else I believe =)

Andrée

Cheap L brackets from the hardware store anchored to the studs in the wall and a plank of wood or mdf. Whole set up should be under 20 bucks U.S. and strong enough for two of your computers.

However i have a CA 61, which is the same piano except for the speakers, and i personally wouldn't have a problem with putting the mac on top. It may be mdf but it is well backed and supported along the top and imo would not sag at all.

Just as a side note i have been around my dad's woodworking shops all my life and have lots of experience with mdf's strengths and shortcomings so like i said as long as the mdf is well supported it won't sag.

What's the top made of? It may feel solid, but if it's particle board (MDF) it may well 'creep' over time. Just be sure

Put your Mac on top and in one year we´ll get back to you

Have you thought of reading the spec sheet, or asking the manufacturer?

OMG is it that complicated??

Andree, I don't believe there should be a problem placing your iMac on top of the CA63. Indeed, these instruments are required to support a considerable amount more weight.

Kind regards,
James
x

No kidding mucci +100... let's not over anal-ize this people.

Good point. But I think it's too late.